Helpful Score: 6
This is the first book by Bernard Cornwell that I've read. It is not for the faint of heart. Full of realistic details of the battles and hardships of the time. I found the details of blood, guts, and gore, a bit too much for me! Having said that, he is an excellent writer! I would not have finished the book, if he wasn't. The end is a little anti-climatical, but I believe it's because you are expected to continue the journey in the next book....I probably won't.
Helpful Score: 3
This is the first Bernard Cornwell book I have read. It is a fascinating look into the 14th century England. Highly recommended to those, like me, who enjoy historical fiction. It is also very historically accurate which makes it even better. Thank you to PBS for the referral as I had not heard of this author before!
Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) -
Helpful Score: 2
A gritty but enjoyable tale in Cornwell's usual style, about a young peasant man who is forced to leave his home, and becomes a mercenary archer. Cornwell's research, particularly on archery, make this title an enjoyable read, even for those of us not "into" his Sharpe's series (which I am not).
Helpful Score: 2
The Archer's Tale by Bernard Cornwell was read for a reading challenge. I truly enjoy books when the author spends time describing the research and/or how the tale is developed. It's fun to get into the author's mind. This book was fun to read and I can see how people get into Cornwell's writing. The battles described in Archer are fantastic and realistic. I felt that I knew the characters in this book and am looking forward to the next volume in this series and seeing what happens to Thomas, the archer in The Vagabond. My recommendation: Take time to read this one.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't usually enjoy Bernard Cornwell's writing style - there are a lot of war scenes that tend to stagnate and seem to be unnecessary. But I did enjoy this book and I have continued to the second book in this series - Vegabond. The third book is Heretic.
Helpful Score: 1
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. I'm a big Bernard Cornwell fan. The book was action packed, detailed in its historical explanations of the time and place. I give the book an 8 out of 10.
A different series of Bernard Cornwall, this one centering around an archer who ends up on a quest for the Holy Grail.
Interesting read
very exciting-good story, well plotted!
great read!
#1 Of the "Grail Quest"
Excellent read!!
Excellent read!!
The start to the Grail series; heavy reading. If you're a fan of the Sharpe series you may like this one - I wasn't. YMMV, of course!
excellent depth for the historical reader!
excellent depth for the historical reader!
Great history.
Book One of Cornwell's Grail Quest Series. Great stuff!
I enjoyed this story very much. Afterward I read the three others in this series.
Good story about 14th Century English/French wars and also a bit of search for the holy relics. I enjoyed it.
Cornwell's Saxon series, the Arthur tales, and of course, the Sharpe series are much better. But the Grail series isn't too bad.
1st in the Thomas of Hookton (or Grail Quest Series) my husand is looking forward to the rest of the series.
1st in the Thomas of Hookton (or Grail Quest Series) my husand is looking forward to the rest of the series.
Excellent Tale
